Coral Springs introduces law against roadway solicitation

December 21, 2013

Coral Springs has joined the fast-growing list of cities in Broward that have introduced laws to prohibit soliciting on roadways.

According to a newly introduced ordinance, canvassing or soliciting at or within 200 feet from the lateral curb or boundary line of major intersections will be against the law. Violation of the law carries a fine of $150.

The intersections to which the law will apply are Sample Road and University Drive, Royal Palm Boulevard and University Drive, Sample Road and 441, Wiles Road and 441, Atlantic Boulevard and University Drive, Riverside Drive and University Drive, Sample Road and Coral Springs Drive, Sample Road and Coral Ridge Drive, Sample Road and Riverside Drive, Sample Road and Rock Island Road, Sample Road and NW 62nd Street, Wiles Road and University Drive, Wiles Road and Riverside Drive, Wiles Road and Coral Springs Drive, as well as Wiles Road and Coral Ridge Drive. The city's police departments initially looked at 25 intersections before deciding on 15.

"We looked at data to find the most dangerous intersections," Police Chief Tony Pustizzi told city officials. "We have a lot of walking traffic and are averaging 12 to 14 injury crashes at these intersections. We are concerned about people being run over. This is across the board and will apply to everybody at the intersections."

Most of the selected intersections witness 70 to 80 crashes annually.

"We decided on a 200-foot buffer because if you see someone stepping out off a curb, you need at least 100 to 200 feet to stop," said Sgt. Brad McKeone, who is in charge of the city's traffic unit. "That is assuming you are not texting, distracted or changing lanes."

The ordinance comes in the wake of a federal court upholding Pembroke Pines' law that prohibits soliciting on roadways. Vice Mayor Larry Vignola, who brought the idea to the table after he almost hit a panhandler who stepped off a median, said the city had done the right thing by waiting for the outcome of the lawsuit.

"It is a dangerous thing to be out there in the middle of the road," Vignola said. "It is a major safety issue. This is going to save lives."

"The true victims are those who are out there soliciting," Commissioner Tom Powers said. "A number of them are without insurance. I am most concerned about them. This will make sure that some of our most vulnerable out there are protected. It is a smart thing to do for them."

Mayor Vince Boccard recalled addressing the issue in 2006. "We didn't get too far then because we didn't have the support of the legislature. This is truly an accomplishment. Our citizens have been asking for this. This is an opportunity to clear the intersections.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles 2010 Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report, 7,894 crashes were reported involving pedestrians. As many as 7,290 resulted in injury and 499 pedestrians were killed.

Tamarac, Lauderhill and North Lauderdale are among the other cities that are planning to ban soliciting on roadways. Apart from Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Cooper City, Hollywood and Boca Raton already have laws in place targeting panhandlers.